The postnatal period can be defined as the first 6 weeks after birth. During this period a mother’s body and mind go through various changes that must be tended to with good care. This period demands proper rest, diet, and good health and hygiene practices. However, postnatal care continues to be an intriguing subject with endless debates regarding what to do and what not to do during this period.

Dr. Sathya Narayana Pillay Centre explains the Ayurvedic approach to postnatal care and draws the line between right and wrong practices.

Ayurveda on Women’s Health

“Ayurveda has a whole division under the label ‘Prasuti tantra and stree roga’ dedicated to women’s health discussing subjects including menstruation, pregnancy and delivery”, says Dr. Sathya. Under this, a section Sutika Charya discusses postnatal treatment in detail. Most of people tend to do Ayurvedic postnatal care with great concern. However, the problem occurs when people fail to seek authentic Ayurvedic prescriptions before following such practices. This is a grave mistake, points out Dr. Sathya. People usually head to some nearby Ayurvedic medicine shop and get the medicines that are usually thought to be consumed by mothers after pregnancy, the next is calling for a home nurse and they think the rest has been taken care of. Dr. Sathya explains why this attitude needs to be thwarted. The postnatal treatment and care protocol for mothers differ from person to person depending on various features. It largely depends on the woman’s body constitution, food habits as well as lifestyle. The external factors include the place and environmental conditions she lives in. The postnatal care for a mother living in the coastal region differs from that of a mother in other dry arid regions. This clearly wipes out any chance of treating all mothers alike after delivery.

Internal Care – Medication & Diet

A woman’s body, after pregnancy and labor is tired and exhausted, along with pain and other discomforts. This also results in the weakening of her digestive fire. To correct this, certain ayurvedic measures are prescribed including the intake of ayurvedic medicine ‘Panchakolachoornnam’ for around 3 to 5 days soon after delivery. Further the woman can be given medicines like dasamoolarishtam or jeerakarishtam. The kashayas should be taken only after a few more days as these can increase the already prevailing constipation. Lehas or Ghrithas should be given in the later stages only, after establishing the proper digestive fire.

The diet of the woman mostly depends on her earlier food habits and her current state of being. The mother’s diet plans should start with warm liquid items like rice gruels that are easily digestible. She can also feed on vegetables and fruits during this period. However, it is better to avoid meat and other heavy food during the first week, the exact number of days of which is 12 days according to Ayurveda.  Meat soups should come only after this. The consumption of such food should also be after addressing the needs of the body and not in bulk amounts. These will do more harm than good. A mother with less lactation should follow the diet and medicines which focus more on promoting lactation.

External Care – Massages and Rest

The mother’s body after delivery is left with many changes. Laxity of muscles is one such inevitable change that must be addressed without fail to tone the muscles in order to bring the body back to shape. The involution of the uterus takes around 6 weeks. Bringing the body back to the pre-pregnant stage can be boosted with good massaging, oiling, and wrapping the abdomen. Here again, Dr. Sathya emphasizes the importance of addressing each woman as a different individual. Also, women who are not used to oiling their hair need not hurry to do the same soon after delivery, with very cold potency oil types, falling prey to the traditional practices. Such cold potency oil types may even backfire with symptoms like cough and cold. So selection of oil should be with proper medical advice.

Dr. Sathya condemns the idea of keeping women bedridden day and night after delivery for the sake of rest for the body. “Pregnancy need not be seen as a sickness”, she adds. Obviously, the body needs rest but only in ample amounts. The age-old practice of complete rest for the first 56- or 90-days post-delivery is a big ‘No’, she says. It even leads to complications. Subtle abdominal exercises and pelvic exercises as prescribed can be followed. There are exercises and yoga poses for pregnant women as well, she adds, that ease delivery and helps stand the pain. 

Post-delivery is also a period as important and sensitive as pregnancy which should be addressed with proper knowledge of postnatal care. The new mother goes through extensive emotional changes which must be taken care of with patience and love, concludes Dr. Sathya.

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